Life Lessons From Mom: Color Outside Of The Lines

On our way home from school yesterday I asked JD how his day was and he let out a giant sigh. Yikes!

“What’s wrong, Chicken Little?” I asked, looking at him through the rearview mirror.

“*John told me my drawing was a ‘scribble scrabble mess,’ because I colored out of the lines."

My stomach felt like the rollercoaster just dropped. GRRRRRR.

“I’m going to tell you a story, so listen closely,” I said to my son.

“OK,” he said.

Here goes: When I was your age I went to school at a place called Our Lady of the Valley (a Catholic school) and my teacher’s name was Miss Mary. Just like you, I had circle time, music class, recess, writing and reading—and we did lots of art, too. One day, Miss Mary gave the whole class a picture of Jesus to color. Just like you, I loved to color—and still do. On that day, I decided to color Jesus’ face grass green.

"Green!" JD said.

"Yes! Now listen," I said.

*Tina, the little girl sitting next to me, looked at my picture, scrunched up her nose and said, “Jesus does not have a green face! Why did you color his face green?” It made me feel very bad and just like you told me what happened with *John, I told Mema what happened with *Tina. She told me to “shrug it off!” But ya know what, I don’t think I ever shrugged it off. And that’s because I’m a creative person. When Mommy goes to work she writes and coordinates photo shoots. I think coloring Jesus’ face green was cool—when we get home we'll paint! I think your scribble scrabble mess isn’t a mess at all—it’s a masterpiece. We are artists, kiddo! Color, paint, sculpt, build, write anyway you like! Don’t worry what other people think. And here’s something I want you to always remember, in life, in your whole big, full life, there is no way you will stay in the lines. And that is a very beautiful thing. Life is supposed to be colorful and sloppy.

I am printing this blog out and tucking into JD's suitcase when he leaves for college in 14 years. Sob.